A tour of New Zealand Trivia Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first permanent European settlement in the country, this city was the original capital of New Zealand. Which is it?

Answer: Russell

Russell was deemed the first capital of New Zealand in May 1840, due to the warm climate and easy access from other countries. It was to be replaced by Auckland as the capital in 1841, however, just one year later, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (pronounced 'Why-Tang-ee').

2. We travel further south, to the small city of Whangarei (pronounced "Fung-Arr-Eh?"). Which of these famous singers was born here?

Answer: Keith Urban

Keith Lionel Urban was born on the 26th October, 1967. He began his music career in Australia, having moved there at a very young age. After the success of his first album (self titled), he moved to the US to pursue a career in the Country Rock genre. Some of his better known songs include "Stupid Boy", "I Told You So", "You'll Think Of Me" and "Your Everything".

3. Continuing on, we reach the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland. How many years was Auckland the capital of New Zealand?

Answer: 24

Auckland was pronounced the capital of New Zealand in 1841, until 1865. Auckland is by far the largest city in New Zealand, and was once the third largest in the world be terms of surface area!

4. Heading south from Auckland, we reach New Zealand's largest inland city. Which is it?

Answer: Hamilton

Hamilton may be away from the coast, but it has the Waikato River flowing right through it. Auckland and Hamilton are two of the main stops for people travelling through the North Island.

5. This city has been New Zealand's capital since 1865. What city is it?

Answer: Wellington

Wellington took over from Auckland as New Zealand's capital in 1865. Wellington was decided as the capital for a simple reason: It was in the middle. There isn't a lot of room to expand at the bottom of the North Island, though, so Wellington has less than half the population of Auckland.

Oh, and just for fun, did you know that Wellington boots aren't known as Wellington boots in NZ?
They're called gumboots, instead!

6. Between the North and South Islands of New Zealand, there is a narrow strait. What is this strait called?

Answer: The Cook Strait

The Foveaux Strait is the strait at the very bottom of the South Island. The Tamaki Strait is located near Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. There was once an incident of a ferry that capsized on the Cook Strait: The Wahine, in 1968. The ship had literally been turned sideways!

The Cook Strait is named after captain James Cook, the first person to sail through it, and the discoverer of New Zealand.

The first person to actually discover New Zealand was Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who named the country Neeu Zeeland, but for some reason, his discovery was overrode by Cook, and the name was changed slightly to the New Zealand we know today.

7. The first main city on the South Island is also known as the 'Garden City'. Which city is this?

Answer: Christchurch

Christchurch is only slightly smaller than Wellington in terms of population. Christchurch is known as the 'Garden City' because of the masses of, well, gardens that have been grown inside it.

8. Not too far from Christchurch, we notice the small town of Akaroa. Where did the inhabitants of Akaroa descend from?

Answer: France

If you're willing to navigate the mountains to Akaroa, you'll notice a completely new lifestyle. You can swim with the very rare Hector's Dolphin (in the sea, of course, not the mountains), and sample French cuisine that is almost exclusive to that area.

The French descent onto New Zealand started off with fisherman Jean-Francois Langlois, who, after catching whales off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia, wanted to find a permanent settlement.

9. New Zealand's largest university is located in the South Island.

Answer: False

New Zealand's best known university, Otago University, can be found in Dunedin, the South Island's second largest city. Dunedin, along with most of the South Island, is steeped in Scottish heritage. The famous Larnach Castle can also be found here.

New Zealand's largest university, however, can be found in Auckland.

10. At the very south of the South Island, you come to your last stop. Which of these cities would you be in?

Answer: Invercargill

Invercargill is the most southerly city in the whole of New Zealand. In Invercargill, you are always near many other places to visit, including Stewart Island, Fiordland and the Catlins.

I hope you have enjoyed this quiz!

Source: Author KiwiDean

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

I've finally made a quiz that isn't on games! New Zealand is one of the most unique countries in the world. From the wildlife the the nightlife, everything's sweet as over here! Let's see how well you know the place!

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